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La Jolla, CA Experts in Container Rental, Sales & Customization

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Southwest Mobile Storage - Best Mobile Storage & Office Containers In La Jolla, CA

Southwest Mobile Storage is a family-owned shipping container business founded in 1995. Our strength for more than 25 years comes from the specialized knowledge and passion of our people, along with serving over 24,000 commercial, construction and residential customers. Our facility and expertise in maintaining, manufacturing, and delivering corrugated steel containers is unrivaled in the industry.

While the rental side of our business is regional with branches throughout the Southwest, our container sales and modification operations are nationwide and becoming global. La Jolla, CA offers a wide selection of portable offices and mobile storage containers you can rent, buy or modify.

Our experts in container rental, sales and customization are committed to providing you the highest quality and best experience from service to delivery - our reputation depends on it.

Whether your need is for storage, office space, moving, multi-purpose or custom use, we've got your back. Here's how:

Storage Containers La Jolla, CA
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NO MATTER YOUR NEED, WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK.

STORE AT YOUR LOCATION

We bring your storage container to you for convenient, easy access at your home, business or jobsite. Plus, you'll get more choice in storage space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of a pod or add on building, saving money and energy.

STORE AT OUR LOCATION

Not enough room to keep a storage container at your business, home or construction site? No problem - we can store it for you. Plus, you get 70% more space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of public storage units.

CUSTOM STORAGE

Need a permanent storage solution for your business, residence or construction? We sell new and used shipping containers in many sizes with a variety of add-ons. Or customize a container to your specific storage needs with our certified fabrication experts.

LOCAL MOVE

Take your time packing with our moving containers. We'll deliver to your business or home and pick it up whenever you're ready to move. So, you don't have to stress about moving or making multiple trips in one day, like if you rented a moving truck.

LONG-DISTANCE MOVE

Our moving container solutions ensure the long-distance move of your home or business is highly efficient and affordable throughout the southwest. In fact, we usually cost 20%-40% less than full-service movers.

MOVING & STORAGE

We understand move-in and move-out dates might be different. We can store your moving container at our highly secure facilities until you're ready to move to your new home or business location, and you can conveniently access it at any time.

OFFICE USE

Whether you need a workspace, conference room, or other office requirement, our ground-mounted mobile offices meet any and all of your business needs. Plus, it's faster and easier than building additions.

BUSINESS USE

If you need your shipping container to serve multiple uses, such as office-storage combos, breakrooms and even utilities, we've got you covered. We'll modify a custom container to fit your business needs and bring your business to the next level

CUSTOM USE

We'll create a custom container to fit your unique needs anywhere in the US. With our container modification expertise, we make any idea a reality. From pop-up stores to multi-story structures, our unrivaled facilities and fabrication experts do it all.

You'll get your own dedicated storage and container expert to serve as your one point of contact for easy, convenient service you can trust.
With our wide selection of intermodal containers for sale and rent, you'll find exactly what you need, from size, to type and condition.
We maintain our rental fleet to the highest standard - our integrity depends on it.
Our certified, experienced Conex container modification experts have more than 500 years combined experience modifying ISO containers.
All of our containers come with high security dual-locking system for no additional charge, so you can rest assured your stored items stay safe and that you don't have to pay extra for it.
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At our unrivaled 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility, ensuring your custom shipping container is made exactly to your specifications.
With our level of service, quality and expertise, you won't find a better value anywhere else.
Our portable offices include lighting and electrical outlets, internet hookups, HVAC and were crafted by our in-house steel container fabrication experts for top-quality construction.

Premium Quality - High Security

With Southwest Mobile Storage, you get much more than a POD or typical Conex box. You also get high security, unparalleled service and unmatched container modification expertise and facilities. No other company offers that much.

Shipping containers and storage containers come in a range of sizes. The most common external lengths are 20ft and 40ft with a width of 8ft. ISO Containers are typically 8ft 6in tall, but high cube containers are 9ft 6in tall. We also have steel containers in a variety of sizes from 10ft long to 45ft long to rent or buy, and we can modify shipping containers into any size you want.

 Rent Storage Containers La Jolla, CA

SMS Mobile Storage Containers have these high quality features:

1/8" thick steel plate bottom side rails
High strength steel supporting cross members
1 1/8" thick hardwood floor with galvanized self-tapping screws
16-gauge corrugated steel walls
16-gauge roof
270-degree swing cargo door(s)
High security dual-locking system*
Spot-grinded, primed & repainted with a beige high-grade water reducible alkyd direct-to-metal enamel*
* Comes standard on all rental units

SMS portable workspace containers have these structural features:

High security window bars, lever & deadbolt set with lock box
Studs & R-19 Insulation covered with wood paneling
1 1/8" marine board floor is covered with a durable single part gray epoxy coating
Dual pane low-E horizontal sliding windows with screens and miniblinds
18 Gauge steel polystyrene core 3-hour fire rated personnel door
All of our workspaces are manufactured in-house and arrive new or restored to factory specifications
Exterior load center operating on 100 Amp single phase 230 Volt power
Light switch, receptacles and 4' light fixtures; all wiring is Romex 12/2
CAT-6 voice and data lines with electrical junction box
HVAC units ranging from 1 ton to 2 ton on rentals; ability to customize up to 10 tons of cooling

Having flexible storage containers options is important, but security is crucial to protect your peace of mind and your possessions.

At Southwest Mobile Storage, we don't believe in leaving things to chance. We want you to rest easy knowing your inventory, documents, tools, equipment and other items are safe 24/7. That is why we equip SMS high-security slide bolt locking systems and lockboxes on our entire fleet of rental freight containers.

EVERY ONE OF OUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR RENT IN La Jolla, CA, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES:

High-security slide-bolt locking system and extra-long lock box, giving you twice the security and peace of mind.
No holes to ensure your rental shipping container is wind and water-tight.
No rust for your safety.
14-gauge corrugated steel for strength and reinforcement.

Contact us to speak with a helpful, friendly representative to better understand our full range of capabilities. We are happy to answer any questions you have, go over pricing and set up a time and place to deliver your Conex box. Our quotes are 100% free and you are under no obligation to pay for your consultation.

COMMERCIAL STORAGE CONTAINERS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN La Jolla, CA

When you own a business or manage one, it's crucial to have efficient, affordable ways to store inventory and supplies, whether it's to grow your business or adapt to changes in the market, like the many caused by the pandemic.

Renting storage containers to keep at your business eliminates the cost and hassles of sending your staff to offsite storage facilities. Steel containers with roll up doors make storing and retrieving items faster and easier. Auto repair shops and other businesses that need easy access throughout the workday to secure storage for tools, parts, equipment or supplies find renting shipping containers to be the best solution for their business storage needs. Southwest Mobile Storage has your back.

 Storage Containers For Rent La Jolla, CA

Renting portable offices gives your business more workspace, breakrooms, pop up stores, security booths and more, without the cost and red tape associated with constructing building additions. Plus, a steel storage container fits neatly into one parking space and provides much stronger security than Pods and way more convenience than self-storage units.

If you have a specific need, we can modify shipping containers to build whatever you need to grow your business. Whether it's a portable workspace to run your business, like a pop-up container bar, or a durable facility for scientific research, like a container laboratory, or even a container gym, our unrivaled fabrication facility and modification experts got you covered. Our full-time, in-house staff of certified welders, engineers, electricians, carpenters and painters have over 500 years combined experience modifying thousands of container projects for just about any business use you can imagine.

WHETHER YOUR BUSINESS IS COMMERCIAL, HEALTHCARE, GOVERNMENT OR EDUCATION, OR YOUR INTEREST IS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY SHIPPING CONTAINERS, SMS HAS YOU COVERED:

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Offsite storage alternatives cause a mess of hassles and headaches. Expanding office space and storage capacity at your location saves time, money and hassle of making multiple trips offsite.
We offer more choice in security, size and features in steel Conex boxes or ISO shipping containers than a public storage unit or Pod for less cost and far greater service.
We offer flexible, month-to-month rental agreements and prorate by the day after your first 28-day billing cycle.
With us, you get a dedicated account manager you can rely on, so you can focus on running your business than waste time with a different person every time you call that doesn't know or care as much.
While other companies may have some staff for modifying containers, most outsource the work, so you don't know who is actually doing the modifications or how much they're marking up the price.
 Mobile Storage Containers La Jolla, CA
When you modify a shipping container for your business, you won't have to worry about expensive, lengthy and complicated construction.
We have modified thousands of containers nationwide and internationally for more than 25 years for NASA, US Navy, GCP Applied Technologies, Helix and Sundt to name a few. And rent containers to Amazon, Walmart and many of other nationally recognized brands.
Our extensive staff makes it possible to custom build multiple projects simultaneously and our 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility prevents contaminants from interfering with fabrication, which delivers better quality and precision.

HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY A SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR YOUR HOME:

With an extensive in-house staff and 90,000 sq ft container modification facility, we're able to deliver consistently high quality and work on multiple projects simultaneously for a fast turnaround.

Other companies don't have the facility, staff or resources to modify shipping containers and will outsource the work to various shops who may not have the special experience or tools needed to modify the right way.

You can rest assured knowing your custom container is safe in our hands. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications through every step of the process.

Renting a moving container from us makes your move much less stressful because you won't have to rush to pack your whole house into a moving truck in one day. Instead, you can take your time packing over the course of a month.

Our ISO shipping containers are weatherproof and come with vault-like security, so you don't have to worry about theft or damage to your belongings.

You won't get that level of security from U-Haul or other moving truck companies.

Renting a storage container at your home keeps your belongings close and gives you convenient 24/7 access, so you're always able to retrieve the contents of your container when you need to.

We know move in and move out dates don't always line up. We can store your packed rental container at our secure facility until your new home is ready.

With our mobile storage containers for rent in La Jolla, CA, you can save up to 40% when compared to full-service long-distance movers, while gaining more flexibility in your schedule.

MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS & PORTABLE OFFICES TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN La Jolla, CA

We know your needs may change suddenly. With our extensive inventory and variety of sizes of portable offices and shipping containers to rent, buy or modify in La Jolla, CA, we provide fast service and the best value possible so it's easy for you to get whatever you need when you need it.

Renting storage containers and portable offices from us gives you more flexibility when it comes to your schedule and options. If you don't have enough space at your current location or simply would prefer offsite storage, you can keep your rental storage and office containers at your location or ours - whichever is most convenient for you. You also get more options to choose from when it comes to size and features, like portable offices with divided rooms for private meetings or office/storage combos for storage and office space in one container. All while costing a fraction of the price of a pod or self-storage facility.

You can also buy new or used freight containers from us and choose from a variety of add-ons, including lights, electricity, doors and windows. Or fully customize a shipping container to save time, money and energy by skipping the expensive, lengthy process of constructing building additions. We can modify a Conex box into whatever you can imagine for any use you need, from construction tool cribs to office buildings, monitoring stations, mobile communication towers and much more. The possibilities are endless.

HERE'S HOW WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK:

You'll never face hidden fees or surprises with us. We give you transparent billing up front at the best prices.

With us, you get a reliable, dedicated point of contact, who keeps you updated every step of the way. You can rest assured knowing you'll always get what you need, when you need it.

No other company has the breadth and depth of staff and experience that we do when it comes to modifying shipping containers. Our certified welders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters have more than 500 years of combined experience in fabricating custom steel containers.

We prorate your rent by the day after the first 28-day billing cycle, so you don't have to pay for a full month when you only have your mobile containers and offices for a few days.

While other companies may be able to do small container modifications, most don't have an in-house fabrication staff or 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility like we do. As a result, they outsource the work on your custom container, so you don't know who's actually building it.

Rest assured knowing your modified shipping container will be built to the highest quality standards. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors check every step of the fabrication process to ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

Whether you're in need of a storage container for your commercial business, a portable office for your construction site, or a moving container for your home, our process is simple and straightforward.

Choose Your Container

Choose the mobile storage solution that works best for your needs. In this step, you will let us know the number of containers you need, their sizes and what types of doors to equip.

Choose Your Options

Let us know if you would like to add any of our rental options, like a folding table or shelving.

Choose Your Security

Choose from padlocks, puck locks and other enhanced security options. All of our storage containers come standard with dual-locking, vault-like security.

Choose Your Delivery Timeframe

You can expect standard delivery within 3-5 days of your order. If you need expedited delivery, we will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.

Pick-Up Planning

Do you need to keep your shipping container at our location? Prefer to have our team deliver your packed container to a location of your choice? Let us know, and we'll be by your side to work out the logistics.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

1

DETERMINE DESTINATION

Let our team know where we should deliver your mobile storage container for rent in La Jolla, CA. Be sure to let us know if there are any special conditions that might prevent our drivers from entering your chosen destination. Before you schedule your delivery, let us know which direction you would like the doors of your container to face.

2

SCHEDULE DATE & TIME

Our drivers can deliver your storage container Monday-Friday, between the hours of 6AM and 2PM local time. Our two-hour delivery window is the most precise in the industry. If you desire another delivery time outside of our standard delivery options, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a courtesy, our driver will call you at least 30 minutes before they arrive at your drop-off destination.

3

PREPARE FOR YOUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINER DELIVERY

Before we deliver your Conex box, prepare your delivery area by ensuring that there are no low overhangs, arches, wires, trees or any other obstacles that could interfere with your delivery. It's a good idea to mark the space where you would like your steel container placed.

4

DELIVERY & SETUP

When our driver arrives, they will back our truck into the space where you would like your shipping container placed. Once we arrive, we will ensure that your container is delivered safely and securely. If placed on asphalt or pavement, we will use wood dunnage pads to make sure your ground surface is protected and the container is level.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MOBILE CONTAINERS TO Rent, Buy OR Modify IN La Jolla, CA?

Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our helpful customer service team today @

619.369.0295

Latest News in La Jolla, CA

What It’s Like to Kayak with Everyday California in La Jolla

“Conditions haven’t been this perfect in a long time,” I overheard while hurrying into Everyday California. I was there for a La Jolla kayak tour of our Ecological Reserve (the protected part of the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park) and the Seven Sea Caves.Everyday California is a lifestyle that respects the ocean, the sun, and the local community. It’s adventurous, sassy, and even health-conscious. Besides tours, t...

“Conditions haven’t been this perfect in a long time,” I overheard while hurrying into Everyday California. I was there for a La Jolla kayak tour of our Ecological Reserve (the protected part of the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park) and the Seven Sea Caves.

Everyday California is a lifestyle that respects the ocean, the sun, and the local community. It’s adventurous, sassy, and even health-conscious. Besides tours, they offer various water sports rentals and trendy California-made apparel in their retail shop.

You can save on tickets, tours, and hotels through my affiliations. If you make purchases through the links in this post, I may be compensated.

In This Article

Arriving at My La Jolla Kayak Tour

On the day of my visit, the shop heaved with people gearing up for La Jolla kayaking tours. Because you do have to gear up and receive some instruction, plan to arrive about 30 minutes early. Don’t be in a rush to depart at the end of your adventure. You’ll need to return your gear and collect your belongings.

The vibe in La Jolla Shores is one of my favorites, and since you’re there already, why not eat at one of the area’s fabulous restaurants?

Everyday California provides lockers for storing valuables and also sells cell phone covers, in case you’d like to have a camera while in the water. I’d recommend bringing a waterproof camera, for sure. Other than sunglasses, you won’t want to bring anything else into the kayak with you.

Heading Out to Sea

Kayaking in La Jolla is one of the best things to do in San Diego because of the La Jolla Underwater Park, a marine sanctuary full of sea life and usually clear water. Whales can be seen during seasonal migrations and our leopard sharks and state fish, the Garibaldi.

The double-bonus is that waves break incredibly gently on to La Jolla Shores beach, where Everyday California tours begin.

We ditched our shoes in a scouts-honor shoe parking area and proceeded to receive a quick paddling tutorial from our ever-so-cheerful and fabulous guides. Kayaks and paddles arrive at the beach by truck, so all you have to do is walk yourself a few blocks from the shop to the sand.

Then, it was time to get in. My friend, Anna, and I hopped into our two-seater kayak (that also has a lower backrest, which I appreciated tremendously) in knee-deep water and paddled out to sea.

Once everyone was in the water, our guides led us to the sea caves, stopping along the way to point out some of the fabulous waterfront homes, related Dr. Seuss trivia, and other fun tidbits.

Visible Sea Life from Your Kayak

I had a GoPro camera attached to a short waterproof handle but wish that I’d brought a much longer pole.

The water was so clear and warm that I probably could have captured much more than I did. These photos of sea life around the La Jolla Underwater Park are courtesy of Everyday California.

From your kayak, orange garibaldi fish (California’s state fish) are very easy to spot, as are some other smaller fish swimming near the surface.

The La Jolla sea lions and seals are hard to miss. If you’re lucky, they’ll be in the water with you.

Rays, guitarfish, and other sea life will be more difficult to spot from above the water but keep an eye out. Harmless leopard sharks were visible in shallow waters as we paddled back into La Jolla Shores.

If you are particularly keen to see fish, book a La Jolla kayak tour with an option to snorkel. Everyday California also offers a whale-watching kayak tour during seasonal migrations of the grey whale.

A Trip Inside of Clam’s Cave

If conditions permit, Everyday California guides will help guests paddle inside Clam’s Cave, the only sea cave visible from land.

Its name is derived from the fact that the cave is open on both sides. We were led in and out through the same opening—two kayaks at a time. Boisterous sea lions resting inside the sea cave nearly drowned out our guide’s narrative, but they were hilarious to hear.

The kelp beds outside the sea caves are beautiful (which sounds funny to say about kelp, I realize), so paddling around while waiting our turn proved quite pleasant.

Next, we kayaked along the other sea caves—this is a big deal because they’re not visible from shore—with a few stops in between so that our guides could provide some history about them. I won’t reveal too much because you have to hear it for yourself.

We paddled back to our launch point but were taught how to catch a wave into shore, which was particularly fun.

Upon returning our kayaks and paddles to staff on the beach, we walked back to the shop to deposit helmets and life jackets before collecting our belongings.

It’s a fantastic way to spend a few hours. You have to try it.

What to Wear Kayaking in La Jolla

While you’re not likely to get very wet on a kayaking-only tour, wear comfortable clothing that can get wet. I think a Lululemon tank with shorts would do, too, if you’re not keen on wearing a bathing suit. A bathing suit and coverup work well, too. I am most comfortable in shorts or short athletic leggings.

Don’t wear long leggings unless you are okay with them getting soaked from the knees down. You’ll walk out into the water to launch your kayak. If your clothing has UV protection, then all the better under year-round San Diego sunshine.

You’re not at all likely to tip over even when first launching and hopping into your kayak. The waves break too gently at La Jolla Shores beach, plus there are staff members to help send you out to sea and receive you after the tour.

Everyday California provides life jackets and helmets. You could wear a visor under the helmet, but I think it wouldn’t fit well and perhaps impede your view.

If you’re headed out on a La Jolla kayak tour in the winter months, a wetsuit—which can also be rented at Everyday California—is a smart option especially if you’re snorkeling.

Whatever you do, wear sunscreen even on a cloudy day as the water reflects the sun’s rays.

Good to Know

The Everyday California guides did an excellent job of keeping the group together as we were a mix of ages and abilities.

The 90-minute tour was broken up with a few stops along the way, so it was possible to rest. Kayaking is fantastic exercise, so my arms were a bit sore the next day but nothing too outrageous.

You will need more than two hours of parking, which can be sourced in the nearby residential neighborhood with no limitations on street parking. Avenida de la Playa is limited to two hours at the most, and you may not park in private lots. Parking tickets are distributed with frequency in La Jolla so getting one is likely if you’re not careful. During peak season, consider booking a morning tour before the crowds come and parking becomes even more difficult.

You don’t need to know how to swim! The risk of tipping over is low. Plus, you’ll be wearing a life jacket.

Kids ages 6 and over can take this tour. Keep in mind that you might be doing most of the paddling with young kids in the boat. The paddles are large and rowing properly does require some coordination between the two passengers.

I often get emails from people who booked tours based on my recommendation that say it was one of their trip highlights.

Get 20% off Your Adventure

Use code LJMOM20 for a 20% discount on tours, lessons, and rentals at Everyday California. This includes private surf lessons, kayaking tours, SUP rentals, and more.

SAVE ON TOURS & RENTALS

See also: Guide to La Jolla Shores

Have you taken a La Jolla kayak tour?

*Thanks to Everyday California for hosting my tour!

Algae bloom killing marine mammals in California could ‘absolutely’ happen in La Jolla, scientist says

Sea lions sickened by the algae also have bitten beach-goers in Southern California recently.By Ashley Mackin-SolomonJune 30, 2023 7 AM PT FacebookShow more sharing options A toxic algae bloom like the one believed to be behind the deaths of hundreds of California sea lions and about 60 dolphins in June in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties could “absolutely”...

Sea lions sickened by the algae also have bitten beach-goers in Southern California recently.

By Ashley Mackin-Solomon

June 30, 2023 7 AM PT

FacebookShow more sharing options

A toxic algae bloom like the one believed to be behind the deaths of hundreds of California sea lions and about 60 dolphins in June in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties could “absolutely” happen in La Jolla, a local expert says.

The danger can spread to humans as well. Sea lions sickened by the algae bit and injured at least two people recently at beaches in Orange County, and the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute, which serves Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, recorded five recent incidents of animals biting beach-goers both in the water and on the beach.

California

June 29, 2023

NOAA Fisheries reported that the Channel Islands institute fielded more than 1,000 reports of sick and dead marine mammals between June 8 and 14 that were thought to have been exposed to the algae bloom.

“The rapid growth of the algae pseudo-nitzschia causes the production of a neurotoxin called domoic acid,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Responders believe domoic acid is behind the deaths, given the neurological symptoms exhibited by the animals. They have collected tissue samples for testing to confirm.”

Dr. Alissa Deming of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach told the Los Angeles Times that sickened sea lions may experience seizures, disorientation and hyper-reactivity and may bite as a result.

William Gerwick, a professor at La Jolla’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography who contributed to the recently published book “Oceans and Human Health: Opportunities and Impacts,” said harmful algae blooms that produce domoic acid occur when the right combination of ocean conditions and “a bit of randomness” cause micro-algae to accumulate, or “bloom.”

“They bloom ... when the temperature goes up, nutrient availability goes up and currents create the right conditions,” Gerwick said. “Sometimes currents mix the water and cause the algae to disperse, and other times it allows them to reach high density. But there is a bit of randomness in that sometimes the conditions are perfect and they don’t bloom and other times the conditions are less than perfect and they bloom.”

Gerwick said such blooms are typical in Southern California and “have been recorded for a long time.”

— William Gerwick, professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Though harmless blooms have resulted in the bioluminescence of 2020 and 2021, they can cause red tides like the one La Jolla saw in 2020 that can be toxic to some marine animals.

“The toxicity can happen because when you have that many cells in the water, they can use oxygen and deplete the water of oxygen and can cause fish to die. Sub-species can also produce toxins that can be harmful to fish,” Gerwick said.

With algae blooms like the latest one, the toxic domoic acid is transferred to fish in the area, which are then eaten by sea lions.

“The toxins work their way through the food web,” Gerwick said. “There are different toxins produced by different species [of algae] that can affect neurotransmission and can cause aberrations in behavior.”

In this case, the animals have been stranding themselves on land or experiencing disorientation and the inability to move, leading to their deaths.

Though the effects have been north of San Diego, a similar event can happen in La Jolla, Gerwick said.

“We’re at the whim of the phenomena of the sea; we can’t mitigate it,” he said. “If a bloom develops, there is not a whole lot we can do to terminate it. We have to learn how to live with them.”

Though La Jolla has fewer sea lions than colonies up the coast, many go on land to rest at places such as Point La Jolla, Boomer Beach and La Jolla Cove. Their presence has caused controversy over the years, especially in light of the city of San Diego’s closure of Point La Jolla during sea lion pupping season, which it plans to make year-round. Supporters of the closure say it is needed to keep people and sea lions apart for the safety of both. ◆

New La Jolla Cove Swim Club President John Thomas wants to take camaraderie to the community

People in Your NeighborhoodFor newly elected La Jolla Cove Swim Club President John Thomas, there’s no place like The Cove. He’s been swimming there for 33 years and says it’s unlike anything he’s ever seen.“The Cove is known for the sevengill and horn sharks, but we see other incredible species out there, [including] crabs, lobsters, large bass, sea turtles, sea lions, dolphins and jellyfish — which you want to avoid,” Thomas said.“On a clear day, you can see so many thi...

People in Your Neighborhood

For newly elected La Jolla Cove Swim Club President John Thomas, there’s no place like The Cove. He’s been swimming there for 33 years and says it’s unlike anything he’s ever seen.

“The Cove is known for the sevengill and horn sharks, but we see other incredible species out there, [including] crabs, lobsters, large bass, sea turtles, sea lions, dolphins and jellyfish — which you want to avoid,” Thomas said.

“On a clear day, you can see so many things. You also see La Jolla Shores in the distance, the cliffs and the marine life, and you can go out and swim any day of the year. Most places around the world you can’t do that. It was a little chilly this winter, but you can technically swim year-round. It’s an amazing place.”

As president of the La Jolla Cove Swim Club, Thomas — who also goes by “JC” — will be looking to promote swimming at The Cove and expose as many people as possible to its offerings in a safe way.

The 350-member swim club presents social events, beach cleanups, competitive swims like the upcoming Pier to Cove Swim, and safety education events.

“But we can do even more in the community,” Thomas said. “As president, I really want to promote the club as a place to join with other swimmers. Any day of the week, you are going to find a La Jolla Cove Swim Club cap out in the water. Some people are intimidated by open water, but if you see the cap of the swim club members, you can go up and ask questions and should be able to swim with them, knowing they are going to be as safe as possible.”

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Thomas has been swimming since his youth. He competed in triathlons in college, which he says got him interested in open-water swimming. He started racing in 1989 across Southern California and completed half Ironman competitions. To join a friend, he even swam from Alcatraz Island to the mainland in San Francisco.

After taking a break from competitive swimming, his wife and “swimming buddy,” Shannon, bought him a membership to the La Jolla Cove Swim Club.

“I started volunteering at events and was tasked with bringing things because I had a truck,” Thomas said. “But the camaraderie was what really attracted me to the club. There are some incredible swimmers that do ultra distance swimming, swim from Catalina Island to the California coastline. So there is an amazing caliber of swimmers. But we also have beginners that want to come out for the first time. Everyone is just happy to be there.”

For more information, visit lajollacoveswimclub.com.

People in Your Neighborhood shines a spotlight on notable locals we all wish we knew more about. If you know someone you’d like us to profile, send an email to robert.vardon@lajollalight.com. ◆

Statewide California Festival, including concerts in La Jolla, will spotlight array of San Diego musical talents

When plans for November’s California Festival: A Celebration of New Music were announced in January, it was billed as a wildly ambitious undertaking that would showcase dozens of music organizations across the state. Now, the announcement of the full schedule of events — 95 in all — makes that ambition even more of a reality.La Jolla will feature in four concerts during the Nov. 3-19 festival, with involvement by the La Jolla Music Society, Athenaeum Music & Arts Library and La Jolla Presbyterian Church.Th...

When plans for November’s California Festival: A Celebration of New Music were announced in January, it was billed as a wildly ambitious undertaking that would showcase dozens of music organizations across the state. Now, the announcement of the full schedule of events — 95 in all — makes that ambition even more of a reality.

La Jolla will feature in four concerts during the Nov. 3-19 festival, with involvement by the La Jolla Music Society, Athenaeum Music & Arts Library and La Jolla Presbyterian Church.

The event is the brainchild of the music directors of California’s three leading orchestras — the San Diego Symphony’s Rafael Payare, the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Gustavo Dudamel and the San Francisco Symphony’s Esa-Pekka Salonen.

It will showcase more than 200 pieces of music by 110 composers — 172 of them works written since 2018, including 32 world premieres. Many of the pieces were inspired by, or reflect, California’s history and contemporary themes, including multiculturalism, climate change and emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival will include 23 San Diego County concerts spotlighting a dozen area arts organizations, including the La Jolla Music Society, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Master Chorale, Art of Elan, Camarada, Project [Blank], San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir and more.

“California is an inexhaustible wellspring of creativity, openness and collaboration,” Payare, Dudamel and Salonen said in a joint statement. “We are so proud to be joined by more than 90 partner organizations located in every region of the state for the inaugural California Festival — their participation turns our celebration into a true statewide effort that reflects the full spectrum of ideas, voices and cultures that call California their home.”

Here are the California Festival performances with La Jolla ties:

Thursday, Nov. 9

• San Diego New Music performs a newly commissioned work by Texu Kim and recent pieces by Ken Ueno, Christopher Adler, Vera Ivanova, Nicholas Deyoe and Francisco Eme. 7:30 p.m., Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla

Friday, Nov. 10

• La Jolla Music Society presents Silkroad Ensemble’s “American Railroad,” featuring Rhiannon Giddens. 5:30 p.m., Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

Sunday, Nov. 12

• La Jolla Presbyterian Church Concert Series presents Camarada’s “Música Nueva.” 4 p.m., 7715 Draper Ave., La Jolla

Thursday, Nov. 16

• La Jolla Music Society and San Diego Symphony present Alisa Weilerstein’s “Fragments 2.” 7:30 p.m., Baker-Baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla

This Tropical Storm Could Hit San Diego Later This Week

Tropical Storm Hilary, which is currently expected to track unusually close to San Diego, could bring rainfall and high winds to the region.The National Weather Service is currently tracking the storm, which developed off the western coast of Mexico on Wednesday morning, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.Tropical Storm Hilary is expected to gain hurricane status on Thursday...

Tropical Storm Hilary, which is currently expected to track unusually close to San Diego, could bring rainfall and high winds to the region.

The National Weather Service is currently tracking the storm, which developed off the western coast of Mexico on Wednesday morning, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Tropical Storm Hilary is expected to gain hurricane status on Thursday as it draws strength from warm waters in the Pacific Ocean. Forecasters believe the storm will weaken as it moves up the waters near Baja California — but it could still bring hazardous tropical storm conditions to San Diego.

For example, the National Weather Service is expecting the remnants of the storm to unleash an atmospheric river on San Diego County.

The tropical storm could hit San Diego by the end of this week, or early next week, hurricane forecasters said.

Additionally, forecasters expect high surf along the coast, including at San Diego beaches. High winds are also possible, but it isn’t clear how strong they’ll be when the tropical storm nears San Diego.

Although the storm is currently on a track to come unusually close to San Diego, there’s a chance that it could beer from its current course.

Tropical storms in San Diego are rare, but have happened in the past. For example, last year, Tropical Storm Kay drenched Southern California with more than three inches of rain and wind speeds up to 100 miles per hour.

San Diego is not generally affected by severe weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes, but they have happened before. Nearly 100 years ago, for example, a damaging tornado struck the city. And in 1858, the only known hurricane to hit Southern California made landfall as a Category 1 storm and brought winds, rain, and more to the region.

It is an unusually busy hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific as portions of the ocean undergo an unprecedented marine heat wave.

All of this is to say that you should exercise caution if you’re planning a day on the water in La Jolla Cove or another beach in the area. More than that, expect windy and rainy conditions through the weekend.

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